English Dub Review: Brave Witches “The 502nd Joint Fighter Wing”

Be brave and join the 502nd.

Brave Witches picks back up where “Take Flight, Chidori” left off. Hikari Karibuchi is in training with the 502nd Joint Flight Unit, aka the Brave Witches. Therefore, she’s whisked off to Petersburg, Orussia for training. Unfortunately, Hikari isn’t quite welcome.

In Petersburg, Hikari meets Nikka “Nipa” Edvardine Katajainen as well as Naoe. While Nipa quickly befriends Hikari, Naoe remains standoffish. She continually reminds Hikari that she’s not ready for battle. Plus, Naoe takes offense to Hikari’s immense stamina which outstrips her own.

Despite Hikari’s excellent grades and stamina, her inability to pilot a flight unit properly precludes Hikari from becoming battle-ready. As such, Hikari is on the verge of being sent home. But during the battle of “Take Flight, Chidori,” Hikari was able to see the core within a Neuroi. Magical eyesight is a power Hikari’s sister, Takami, benefited from. So Hikari is sent on an assault on the Neuroi. Unfortunately, the mission doesn’t quite go as planned. Nipa’s flight unit fails, and Naoe is forced to search for her from the sky.

“The 502nd Joint Fighter Wing” does a lot well, and this episode more than the previous series entries shines. I like the WW2 alternate history vibe. The animation persists in its magnificence with vivid colors. Character design is solid, and I enjoy the tech: inventive guns, unique flight units. The music is pleasurable. It’s not Ghost in the Shell or Ninja Scroll level, but it’s not distracting.

What truly sets Brave Witches apart is its fun vibe. It’s a safe show and pretty predictable. Nevertheless, there’s a bright, cheery overtone that makes watching it a joy. Moreover, “The 502nd Joint Fighter Unit” includes more backstory and insight into the universe. As Nipa explains, over 2 million civilians once populated Petersburg. The episode even takes the time to show what the 502nd eat and talk about gathering mushrooms. However, Brave Witches does delve into a bit of fan service. The skimpy outfits and panty shots feel unnecessary and cheapen an otherwise fantastic show. Thankfully, fan service moments are sparse. With its detailed history, joyful atmosphere, and brilliant auditory and visual experience, Brave Witches is a spectacular, enjoyable anime series.